Fast-fashion chain Primark is currently on the receiving end of backlash from furious shoppers over their changing-room policy that they say is dangerous for women.
The backlash was sparked after the budget fast-fashion chain's unisex policy left one women distraught after two men walked in on her changing and trying on clothes.
Charlotte Kirby recently took to TikTok to share her experience at one of the stores gender neutral changing rooms and explained how the incident had left her visibly shaken, reports The Manchester Evening News.
In a video more than one minute long, a teary Kirby explains how she is for unisex changing rooms but was left distraught after two men pulled back her curtain when she was changing twice during her visit.
The video has since sparked a major backlash from angry shoppers, with many of them slamming Primark for their unisex changing-room policy that they say puts women at risk of danger and violence from men.
Vikki Lax claimed on Twitter: “If your ‘inclusivity’ leaves young women vulnerable, in tears, fearful and excluding themselves from everyday experiences you really need to look again. You're not inclusive, you're putting women in danger. You're misogynists @Primark.”
@PurnaAnnie said: "If shops are going to have unisex changing rooms then they HAVE to invest in individual lockable cubicles. I have noticed when I have been shopping with my teenage daughter more and more places are now unisex, so I'll always go shopping with her. @Primark change your facilities!"
@HeidiJaneT2 wrote: "I never try on anything in public changing rooms and I def won’t now I will buy stuff and take it home - sad sad times." @Harlequin_Sanch said: "Feel so bad for these girls who know there's a serious problem, are feeling the brunt of it, but are so intimidated by the sheer power of this movement that they still feel they have to proclaim support for the policy."
@_CROTT blasted: "Fcuk Primark! Done with you guys, not shopping there again! I hope this young girl will be okay. #boycottprimark." ger
@Lammysaurus said: "Furthermore, I hope women everywhere #BoycottPrimark for their disgusting contempt to women's privacy, safety & dignity."
However, other customers have spoken up in favour of the policy, with many saying that the retailer has made the right step to protect its transgender customers.
@cardiganloser pleaded: "#BoycottPrimark is trending bc of a story told by a woman who said she supports unisex changing rooms and thanked primark for how they're handling her case. my heart goes out to charlotte and i hope she gets justice. stop using her story as an excuse to be transphobic."
Twitter user @TheRockFairyHQ said: “The changing rooms aren’t the issue, the men who did this are. Instead of fighting about changing rooms, we should be fighting to ensure men don’t behave like this.”
@yasminesummanx said: "Instead of calls to #BoycottPrimark because they offer a gender inclusive option, why not penalise the men using the opportunity to be abusive creeps and the society that has nurtured them to doing this?"
A Primark spokesperson said: “We are really sorry to hear of this customer’s experience. It shouldn’t have happened and we’re urgently investigating. We are currently reviewing our approach to fitting rooms in our stores to ensure these are always safe and inclusive spaces for everyone.”
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